trouble coming out of forward gear

[jimmd]

i have a 8hp johnson sailmaster (probably about 10 years old). it starts and runs well. however after being in forward i can't get it back out of gear without shutting it down and then giving the prop a slight turn. after that it will come out easily. i can go from neutral to reverse and from reverse to neutral with no problem. i can go from neutral to forward with no problem. i just can't go from forward to neutral.
any help or advice will be greatly appreciated.
thanks

 

[Lodgepole]

Re: trouble coming out of forward gear

If it was mine, I would open up the gear case and look for damaged or worn parts. Sounds like could be a problem with the fork that does the shifting. Would be a good time to do seals and water pump if you haven't lately.

Be sure your connector in the shift rod under the cover plate on the side of the lower unit has not come loose.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: trouble coming out of forward gear

What model motor we dealing with here?? Some don't have a shift rod connector....
I'd drop the lower unit and check the shifting before I'd open the gear case.